CrowdStrike and Why Tech Companies Don’t Install New Software Patches on Day One

Summary of Today’s CrowdStrike Outage

Today, a major outage occurred due to a faulty software update issued by cybersecurity giant CrowdStrike. The update, which was intended for their flagship security product, Falcon Sensor, caused Windows computers around the world to crash without fully loading. This resulted in significant disruptions across various sectors, including businesses, airports, train stations, banks, broadcasters, and healthcare facilities¹. CrowdStrike confirmed that the issue was not a cyberattack but a defect in the software update. The problem has been identified, isolated, and a fix has been deployed¹. However, the recovery process may take some time for all affected systems to become fully operational¹.

Why Tech Companies Don’t Install New Software Patches on Day One

Tech companies often hesitate to install new software patches immediately upon release for several reasons:

1. Risk of New Issues: Patches can sometimes introduce new problems or conflicts with existing systems. This can lead to unexpected downtime or disruptions, as seen in today’s CrowdStrike incident².
2. Testing Requirements: Before deploying patches, NPF Networks tests them in a controlled environment to ensure they do not cause any adverse effects. This testing process can be time-consuming but is crucial to avoid widespread issues².
3. Resource Constraints: Managing and deploying patches requires significant resources, including time and personnel. Many organizations may not have the necessary resources to implement patches immediately³, which is another way that NPF Networks has your back.
4. End-User Resistance: Users often resist updates because they can interrupt their workflow. Forcing updates can lead to frustration and decreased productivity³.
5. Complexity of IT Environments: Organizations often have complex IT environments with numerous applications and systems. Ensuring compatibility and stability across all these components can be challenging².

By carefully managing the deployment of software patches, NPF Networks aims to balance the need for security with the stability and functionality of your systems.